Posts in Category: wildlife
Yellowstone! Attendant
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — As I mentioned before, this bull moose was in attendance on the cow and calf. I am not certain how the cow and calf felt about it, but the bull was staying close. Here he appears to be attempting to herd them up over the ridge behind the pond, or, on the other hand, he may be trying to keep up with them as they go over the ridge. ? Anyway, it makes a great shot…and at the distance, about 300 yards, the Tamron at f6.3 keeps them all in focus. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Cow and Calf up to their necks
Moose: In our first early morning encounter with the moose family at Floating Island Lake in Yellowstone National Park, both the cow and calf were in the water, walking (or swimming in the case of the calf) along the edge of the reeds, feeding below waterline on the wilted vegetation. With the warm direct sun, and the reflections in the pond, it was a sight to see and a treat to photograph. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Mountain Goat
Mountain Goat: Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Though we made two attempts on the Beartooth Highway were people were seeing Goats close, this shot from high on the rim above the Madison River was as close to a Mountain Goat as we got…and this is a 1mp crop from the full 26mp Sony sensor. It amazes me that it is even this good considering the distance (876 yards by my friend’s rangefinder), the light (the mountain side was in shadow), and the extreme crop needed to make the Goat big enough to see. 🙂 Mountain Goats love this kind of terrain…these little shelves in the sheer rock faces of the the volcanic mountains of Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountains in general. I hope to see one close up one day. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Parking Area Security Yellowstone Style
Raven: Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Every parking lot and pull-off in Yellowstone has its Raven. They might work in shifts, but there is always one waiting when you park up…rarely more than one at a pull-off, and only one even in a fair sized parking area. The big parking areas, of course: Old Faithful, Tower Falls, Canyon Village, Fishing Bridge, etc. have a small squad of them, but fewer than you might think. They are apparently very efficient and very protective of their assigned area. I bet there is a waiting list for every position. This handsome bird was at the main parking on Firehole Lake Drive and he was so bold that he continued to explore the contents of an unattended duffle bag in back of a pick-up as we approached (undoubtedly checking for explosive materials…someone has to do it 🙂 Ravens are very smart birds, tool users, and the zipper on the duffle was no challenge for this obviously experienced bird. We got so close, with him sitting on the rail of the pick-up, that I took this head-shot, showing off his mid-night plumage and bright eye and stout beak as the wind ruffled his feathers, at 600mm equivalent. He remained on station, until the pick-up’s owner and family came back and dismissed him and put the duffle back together. Job well done. He did not go far. He was still sitting in the grass near where the pick-up had been when we pulled away. Doing his job. Keeping parking safe. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Elk Cows
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — While the big bull elk are the stars of the show, it would be a mistake to pass over the more subtle beauty of the cows and calves. Especially in the early morning sun. These four shots are from the herd that hangs out in and around Mammoth Hot Springs…#24’s harem. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent, except for the cow and calf which was 384mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! moving the harem
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — #24 moving his harem and family up over the foot of the upper terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs. Bulging all the way. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (close ups) and 99mm equivalent (wide shot). I am really enjoying this lens for both wildlife and landscape. 🙂 Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! putting on the ritz
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Buck elk…though they are commonly called bull elk that is not correct, as elk are deer not antelope or cows…they shed their horns and regrow them every year…so, this buck elk is putting on his mating scent and a dominance show for the females in hopes of a successful rutting season. Bucks dig into the ground, often after urinating on it, and toss the weeds and grasses up over their back, spreading their mating scent (with comes from a gland by their eyes), all over. They also rub antlers on trees and brush, and generally make a show of themselves, dominating their territory and their harem, and letting any other bucks in the area know who is charge. When you see a buck with vegetation in its antlers, you know he is ready to party. Yes, well I am sure tuxedos on us look silly to an elk too. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! #24 in sunlight
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2014 — We eventually did get to see #24 in all his glory in the full, if still early, sun. This is a buck elk to recon with. As the sun touched the ridge on the far side of the valley and lit up the terrace of the hot springs behind us, #24 quickly crossed the road, along with most of his harem, to feed in the tall grasses at the foot of the terrace. He paused just on the other side to bugle the rest of the herd across the road…showing us all of his good sides. Note how healthy he looks…the smoothness of his coat, the tone of his muscles. This is an elk buck in his prime. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Elk morning
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Still in the shadow of the eastern ridge above Mammoth, the elk were already moving up from the town center across the lower ridges toward the higher country above the springs. #24, the dominant bull, was herding his harem and family higher up the slopes before attempting to cross the road just below the upper terrace of the springs. His is one of the larger herds of elk in the park. We watched them move slowly through the sage for more than 30 minutes, the bulls sense of urgency off-set by the cows’ and calves’ need for a morning feed. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 250-600mm equivalents for framing. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Elk on the ridge
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — We got to Mammoth Hot Springs early on our second full day in the park, specifically to photograph the Elk as the sun crested the mountains. Still early enough here so the sun was not even on the ridges above the springs, and this buck and doe are silhouetted against the semi dark sky. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.